As you may discover on your weight loss journey, physically losing weight is just one piece of the self-confidence puzzle. It can be frustrating to discover that you can work hard to lose weight and still feel conscious about your body or not feel satisfied. Some people may find themselves still fixating on a specific body part or area that they disliked before losing weight.
However, it’s totally normal to feel uncomfortable with a changing body—even if it’s a change for the better. We all need time to adjust to changes in both our bodies and our mindsets.
Adjusting to a New Normal
As you go down the path of your weight loss journey, there may be signs of weight loss beyond just weight. These can include wrinkles, loose skin, and stretch marks. Whether you will develop visible evidence of weight loss like wrinkles and loose skin is dependent on various factors, including age, genetics, and rate of weight loss.
But don’t let these other changes stop you from celebrating weight loss success! It helps to stay focused on the health benefits of losing weight, like newfound confidence and other non-scale victories. Experiencing some of the health benefits of weight loss yourself may help reframe your mindset.
Remember, your skin is an organ, and it will need some time to adjust to any drastic changes, including weight loss. Taking care of your skin and staying hydrated are key here. Strength training and building muscle can also help by reshaping your body and letting you stand more confidently.
Trusting the Process = Trusting Yourself
Self-confidence is more than just liking how your physical body looks at any given moment. It comes from trying new things and learning you can do things you didn’t know you could. Exploring new workouts, making new friends and building community, or just trying a new style of clothing… self-confidence is built from all these parts, and it doesn’t appear overnight. (We wish!!)
Taking care of yourself is an important part of the journey to a healthy lifestyle. Practice self-care at home and self-love will follow. However, if you’re struggling a lot with self-esteem issues to the point where it’s interfering with your life, consider talking to your healthcare provider to help address them.
Let’s get one thing clear—you are working hard on your weight loss journey because you love yourself and want the best for your body. You’ve decided that your body is worth caring for, and that is the ultimate evidence of self-love!
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